Everyone's eyes experience dryness from time to time, but some are more severe than others. For those who are bothered by dry eye and how it may appear to others, the good news is that there are quite a few treatments on the market today to help ease the symptoms or even remove them entirely. The right treatment will naturally depend on the specific cause behind the dryness, but most sufferers will find that multiple treatments will work for them. As always, it is a good idea to consult with a physician before starting any new medical treatment as well as to help determine what the specific cause for dry eye may be. The top three dry eye treatments include artificial tears, Restatsis, and Xiidra. Read on to find out more about the best treatments for dry eye.
For dry eyes that aren't too bad but just mildly annoying (such as those from staring at a computer screen too long), artificial tears can work wonders. While stronger ones require a prescription, there are many brands of this solution that can be purchased at any local drug store or supermarket. Artificial tears are light, lubricating and provide fast relief.
Those who have been diagnosed with "Dry Eye Syndrome", a generally non-threatening but ongoing condition may benefit from a prescription solution specially designed for this condition. Two such examples are Restasis (also known as Allergan) and Xiidra, both of which contain lubrication for fast relief as well as a special anti-inflammatory agent. Most users will not experience the full treatment effects of either until they have been using the product for a while.
There are many different kinds of steroids used by humans, but it is true that certain eye drops contain them. These sterioid eye drops provide fast, but short term, relief and help ease inflammation in particular. They are best used temporarily with a more long term treatment that will take over with time.
As with any kind of medical treatment, no matter how non-invasive, there are potential side effects. Each dry eye treatment mentioned here comes with potential eye irritation, such as itching an redness, but in most cases it will usually subside after a short period of time. Those who experienced prolonged irritation or more serious side effects should stop use of the treatment and contact their doctor for assistance.
Yes. A punctal plug or "punctal occlusion" involves inserting a small device into the openings of the tear ducts in order to help tears remain on the surface of the eye and therefore keep it lubricated. This treatment can be highly effective, but of course it is most recommended for those who suffer from severe, chronic eye dryness.
For those not quite ready for surgery, another option for severe eye dryness is to clean out the eye and the tear ducts in a quick, in-office procedure called a meibomian gland expression. It should be noted, however, that this is only recommended for those who suffer from a specific eye dryness condition called Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, where these ducts become blocked and unable to secrete tears.
There may be no complications for those suffering from only mild, temporary eye dryness. However, those who have the condition more frequently or severely would do well to treat it or risk blurred vision, eye infection or light sensitivity, among other things.
The good news is that a lot of eye dryness is caused simply by spending too long focused on something without blinking. For example, both those who sit in front of computers all day and those tasked with high-focus jobs are particularly at risk for eye dryness. Taking breaks whenever possible and resting the eyes will greatly help, as will drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Warm compresses after work can also help.